Gilchrist Park

Nice waterfront park — good views of the sunset. There’s a gazebo for all, some tennis courts, a walkway near the river, a playground with a great climbing tree for the kids, and occasional entertainment. Good place to walk around, or sit and relax, or watch the kids.

Beautiful park, beautiful views. come in the morning to jog, play tennis, hit the play ground with the kids or return in the evening to watch the sunset.
I would give the park 5 stars but the playground for the kids could be better maintained. Some equipment is out of date and recently the city removed several pieces that were questionable but new pieces were not erected in their place leaving voids.
Overall this is a hidden gem in downtown and a nice place to spend the afternoon.

Nice park to chill. Even to have a barbecue. You can easily take a nap, eat your sandwich and progress to you destination.

Absolutely a must do, wonderful and tranquil stroll along the water. I highly suggest visiting this park while in town.

Gilchrist Park is treasure & a Crown Jewel of Punta Gorda. It’s a beautiful place fo us locals to take a stroll. And a wonderful place to share with our out of town guest.

Nice easy walk along tbe shore. Great for bike riding and walking dogs. Great picnic area you can reserve for special events thru the City of Punta Gorda.

Wow! This park is really big! Jogging trail, tennis courts and a pier! We went at night and accidentally interrupted a cute couple having a «conversation» on the pier. I’m sure they found another shady spot in the park to talk. It’s quiet at night and a great place to clear your mind to relax after a long day.

If finding a spot where you can let the kids go and relax with a beautiful view, then Gilchrist Park is a great find. The playground area is fneced in so the tikes can’t escape and there is plenty of seating, swings and benches to rest these olé bones while they zip around. «They» are my grandkids, and let me tell you they do zip. The biggest attration in the playground is a huge tree that is a kids dream come true. What kid doesn’t like climbing trees. When the kids tire out you can take a lovely walk on the sidewalk along the water front to the pier. I have to say, this is a well thought out park, with lots to do for all ages including tennis couts, basletball courts at the next door Y. Couldn’t have had a better better afternoon.

Punta Gorda set aside eleven acres along the Peace River and developed a lovely, community park.
There are gazebos to watch the water and the sun or to take as cover when it rains. There is a wooden fishing pier. A sidewalk follows the River’s edge that is shored up by those rocky edges called rip rap. A fountain has a ltall statue of Ponce de Leon who is said to have landed here in the 1500’s, but didnt stay long. It wasn’t exactly the Pilgrim and Indians story here. A Calusa reportedly shot him with an arrow, his sailors scooped him up, and they headed south where he died of his wounds in Cuba.
The park has several tennis courts that are well maintained and popular. A sandy, fenced area has play equipment. I was glad to see an actual merry-​go-​round with kids spinning each other off with great joy. And there’s lots of parking, facing the water, that allowss even the laziest to enjoy a view of the River and the US41 bridge.